View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Aberdeen University Research Archive Is best-worst scaling suitable for health state valuation? A comparison with discrete choice experiments KRUCIEN Nicolas Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2QN. United Kingdom, Email:
[email protected] WATSON Verity Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2QN. United Kingdom, Email:
[email protected] RYAN Mandy Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2QN. United Kingdom, Email:
[email protected] Corresponding Author Nicolas KRUCIEN Health Economics Research Unit University of Aberdeen Institute of Applied Health Sciences Aberdeen, AB25 2QN, UK Tel: 01224-437892 Fax 01224-437195 Email:
[email protected] Abstract Health utility indices (HUIs) are widely used in economic evaluation. The best-worst scaling (BWS) method is being used to value dimensions of HUIs. However, little is known about the properties of this method. This paper investigates the validity of the BWS method to develop HUI, comparing it to another ordinal valuation method, the discrete choice experiment (DCE). Using a parametric approach we find a low level of concordance between the two methods, with evidence of preference reversals. BWS responses are subject to decision biases, with significant effects on individuals’ preferences. Non parametric tests indicate BWS data has lower stability, monotonicity and continuity compared to DCE data, suggesting the BWS provides lower quality data.